THE star insists a move away from Fir Park is the last thing on his mind despite reported interest from Rangers.

JAMIE MURPHY insists a move from Motherwell is so far from his mind he didn’t even know he could sign a pre-contract next week.

The in-form Fir Park star’s deal with the Lanarkshire club expires at the end of the season, allowing him to negotiate a Bosman when the transfer window opens.

Murphy has been linked with Rangers – who can sign players but can’t register them until September – and Sheffield United.

Steelmen boss Stuart McCall admitted he’ll almost certainly lose one of his out-of-contract stars next month as the club aim to fill a hole in the finances caused by their early Scottish Cup exit.

Murphy – who hit a double in the Boxing Day win over Aberdeen – says he’s used to speculation surrounding his future after years of being linked with other clubs since emerging as one of Scottish football’s bright young talents.

But he isn’t fazed by it and said: “I could sign a pre-contract? I’ve not spoken to anyone. I just expect the speculation now, to be honest.

“That’s about three or four transfer windows I’ve been experiencing this kind of speculation.

“I just try to get on with it and when the club comes to me and says they’ve accepted a bid from someone that’s the only time I will go and speak to them.

“I don’t really have a preference. If a team thinks I’m good enough to play for them and they put in a bid then I’ll speak to them.

“I’ve been here for 11 years and until someone tells me otherwise I’ll remain here. I’ve not spoken to Leanne Dempster or the gaffer about Sheffield United but I’m sure if something happens they will tell me about it.

“I’ve not spoken about a contract extension either and I don’t know when I will. I’m just trying to play football.

“It’s good for the team to be on a good run of form to get up the league table. We want to push up as high as we can.

“I’m playing well right now I think and there’s more to come. The team is playing well just now too.”

Whatever happens with Murphy in January, it’s almost certain there will be an exodus of stars from Fir Park in the summer and the attacker reckons it will be a sad day when the team breaks up.

After qualifying for last season’s Champions League, the men in claret and amber are challenging for a second-placed finish this season.

And Murphy said: “Are we looking to match last season and finish third or second? Yes, we have a great squad here and we can compete with most teams.”

Murphy missed the chance to complete his hat-trick in the 4-1 rout over the Dons when he saw his penalty effort saved and he said: “I wouldn’t normally be on penalties but we were 4-1 up and I was on a hat-trick.

“It was a great performance and a great win for us regardless.”

Despite Murphy’s two-goal show he was upstaged by man of the match Henrik Ojamaa.

And the Estonian is another attracting interest from other clubs.

Murphy added: “Ojamaa is a real livewire. Sometimes he doesn’t score but he works so hard for the team and chases down so many lost causes. He was great against Aberdeen.”